Pack your bags for these 9 foodie events

By Staff

Monday, August 19, 2013

Here's a look at the major upcoming food-related events around the world.

ElBulli: Ferran AdriÓ and The Art of Food

July 5 - Sept. 29

London

After a successful run in Barcelona last yer, chef Ferran AdriÓ brings his El Bulli exhibit to Somerset House in London this summer. The now-shuttered Catalan restaurant was named the best restaurant in the world five times. On display are handwritten notes and sketches, tasting menus, cutlery, photos and press clippings of the restaurant as it rose to near mythic fame.

A glittering culinary festival that rolls out the red carpet in true Hollywood style, the LA food and wine event is a gathering of familiar celebrity chef faces like Giada de Laurentiis, Masaharu Morimoto and Curtis Stone. Expect star-studded cooking demonstrations and luxury tastings throughout the event.

Danish chef RenÚ Redzepi's annual food conference resumes this year in Copenhagen, this time themed around a four-letter word: guts. The roster of speakers and attendees includes David Chang of the US, Alex Atala of Brazil, Frederic Morin and David McMillan of Canada, and Margot Henderson of the UK.

A celebration of locally produced Parma ham. All ham factories in the area will open their doors to the public and offer free tastings, and pork lovers will learn how the dry-cured ham is made and how to appreciate the different flavors and nuances.

It's likely no coincidence that a food festival billed as the largest in Latin America is being held just after the World's 50 Best Restaurants Latin America. Since 2008, the gastronomic festival has become a nation-wide celebration of Peruvian cuisine and promises to be attended by a who's who of the culinary scene this year. Peru's best known gastronomic ambassador is celebrity chef Gaston Acurio. Event organizers hope to make Lima the "Gastronomic Capital of Latin America" by 2021. Program highlights include a pisco and coffee salon, chocolate and a bread corner.

It's a competition that recognizes the best in innovative restaurant and bar design and showcases the most beautiful dining destinations around the world. Winners will be announced at a gala event in London.

For this year's edition of Gastronomika, London has been chosen as the guest city for its burgeoning culinary creativity and "colorful metropolitan cuisine," from traditional British specialities to avant-garde dishes, and multicultural influences like Indian, Chinese and Japanese flavors. "Off Gastronomika" also brings together front-of-house experts like sommeliers and restaurant professionals. Other favorites include a grilling contest and Gastronomika event for budding young teenage chefs.

This year's edition of the world's largest festival dedicated to chocolate will explore the question: "Why is chocolate so magical?" Favorite events include the annual chocolate fashion show and chocolate awards. As the gathering place for 400 participants, master chocolatiers, chefs and cocoa experts, the Salon de Chocolat is a chocolate lover's heaven.